Lamp for keyboard instruments



Oct. 31, 1961 R. M. KLEMME 3,007,037

- LAMP FOR KEYBOARD INSTRUMENTS Filed Aug. 25, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 1nscussv VIRGIN/A K. KLEMME Oct. 31, 1961 R. M. KLEMME LAMP FOR KEYBOARDINSTRUMENTS 5 Sheets-Sheec 2 Filed Aug. 25, 1958 y R HMWM m mfl NMaEHBEE. Wm I K M A a m N a. M w V w Y B Oct. 31, 1961 R. M. KLEMME LAMP FORKEYBOARD INSTRUMENTS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 25, 1958 INVENTOR. M.KL EMME POLAND VIRGINIA K- KLEMM E. BY {I IIggffil" United States atent3,007,037 LAMPFOR KEYBOARD INSTRUMENTS Roland M. Klemme, deceased, lateof Salinas, Calif., by Virginia K. Klernme, execntrix, Salinas, Calif.Filed Aug. 25, 1958, Ser. No. 756,965 3 Claims. (Cl. 240-4) Thisinvention relates to a lamp attachment for pianos, organs and the like,for illuminating the keyboard as well as the music rack, and moreparticularly to a lamp of this character which will provide proper andcomplete illumination on the music positioned on the music rack and ifdesired on the keyboard as well.

Up to the present time there have been various kinds of lamps forilluminating music racks and keyboards of pianos, orgrans, pianofortesand other such keyboard instruments, and, despite the great variety andextent of use, all have been bothersome, and for the most part,unsightly. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention toprovide not only proper illumination for keyboard instruments, includingillumination of the music on the rack, but to provide such illuminationwith equipment which is completely compatible with the instrument anddoes not call attention to itself or obstruct the use thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a piano lampwhere proper illuminaion is secured without shining light either intothe eyes of the artist or into those of any audience which may be athand.

Another object is to provide a piano lamp in which the illuminationdirected to the keyboard may be reduced in any increment desired down toand including no illumination at all without interfering in any way withthe illumination directed to the music rack.

,Stillanother object of the invention is to provide a piano lamp whichcan be supplied as standard equipment with the sale of the instrument orbe attached to or detached from any instrument easily at any time.Another object of the invention is to provide illuminating means for themusic and keyboard which will not interfere either with the turning ofthe music pages or with the freedom of movement at the keyboard.

A further object is to provide a lamp which can be effectively attachedto any instrument regardless of size or variations in the construction.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity,economy, and ease of manufacture, also such further objects, advantagesand capabilities as will fully appear and as are inherently possessed bythe device and the invention described herein.

Invention further resides in the combination, construction andarrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and whilethere is shown therein a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to beunderstood that the same is merely illustrative of the invention andthat the invention is capable of modification and change, andcomprehends other details of construction without departing from thespirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the lamp cover;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the lamp body;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the complete lamp and holding bracketwith a portion thereof cut away to show the internal structure;

FIGURE 4 is a transverse section taken on the line IV-,IV of FIGURE 3,looking in the direction of the arrows;

1 FIGURE 5 is a transverse section taken along the line V-V of FIGURE 3,looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 6 is a transverse section taken on the line 2 VIVI of FIGURE 3and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 7 is a transverse section taken on the line VIIVII of FIGURE 3and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 8 is a schematic wiring diagram;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of a keyboard instrumentshowing the manner of use and attachmeut of the lamp of the presentinvention; and

FIGURE 10 is a schematic, transverse sectional view, partly in sideelevation, of the bracket and means for holding the lamp in position. 7

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numerals are usedto indicate like parts in the several views, and with particularreference to FIGURES 1 and 2, basically the lamp is built around twomain parts. One is the lamp body 10, and the other is the lamp cover 11.The lamp body 10 is basically a semicircular stamping having recesses 12and 14 out along the marginal edges, leaving equal end portions 15 and16 at either end of the semitubular body 10. The semicircular ends 15and 16 have upstanding flanges 17 integral therewith but separatedtherefrom by a lateral head or offset 18 defining an arc ofapproximately between them. U- shaped slots 20 and 20' are cut inwardlyfrom the marginal edge on one side, equidistant from the outer ends.Coextensive with the marginal cuts 12 and 14, and extending furthertoward each end beyond the terminus of the marginal cuts, thesemicircular stamping is further depressed into an integral longitudinalpocket 21.

coextensive With the length of the lamp body 10 is the lamp cover 11which is a semicircular stamping having lateral cuts along the marginaledges 22 and 23 which correspond identically with the marginal cuts 12and 14 in the body member 10. The semicircular ends 24 and 25 correspondidentically with the ends 15 and 16 of the lamp body 10 and are alsoprovided with small semicircular marginal cuts 26 and 26 along the edgeopposed to and in registry with the U-shaped cuts 20 and 20' along themarginal edges in the body 10. It will be seen that the lamp cover 11fits down over the upstanding marginal projections 17 and up againstthelongitudinal beads 18 which act as a stop. When so joined, the lamp bodymember 10 and the lamp cover member 11 form a tube having longitudinalslots therethrough formed by the opposition of cuts 12 and 22 on oneside and 14 and 23 on the other side. Likewise, the abutting of thesemembers forms equidistant holes from either end by the coincidence ofcuts 20 and 26 and 20 and 26. Although the two members 10 and 11 areheld together frictionaliy by the projections 17, end caps 30 slide overeach end and retain the members in the tubular position. While this isthe general appearance of the lamp from the outside, it is necessary todescribe the internal fittings within both the body member 10 and thecover 11 which go to make up the complete lamp.

First, the completion of the lamp cover unit will be described. The lampcover 11 at either end and just beyond the limits of the recessedmarginal cuts 22' and 23, two slots 27 are provided. The slots are cutin the perimeter and extend from the top mid point transversely alongthe perimeter a distance which is slightly more than the distance of theopening provided by the slot of edges 14 and 23. A curved dimmer shield31 is movably secured against the inner face of the lamp cover 11 and isslightly more than coextensive with the length of the slots. It issecured movably in this position by means of dimmer buttons 28 which areguided in the slots 27 and securely fastened to each end of the dimmershield. When the dimmer buttons 28 are at the end of the slotcorresponding with the top of the curve of the lamp cover, the dimmershield 31 is in the inoperative position and its width extendsapproximately the distance between the edge 22 and the edge 23. When thedimmer buttons are moved toward the opposite ends of the slots 27, thedimmer shield 31 is moved by increments to close the slot formed by themarginal edges 14 and 23 until the dimmer buttons reach the lower limitof the slots 27 when the dimmer shield 31 completely closes the slotformed by marginal edges 14 and 23. With the securing of the dimmershield 31 in position in the lamp cover, this assembly is complete.

The assembly for the lamp body contains more parts but is equally simplein structure. At either end of the flat stamping portion 21 are securedstandard sockets 32 for the conventional two-pronged fluorescent slimline tube 33. The sockets are secured in position in the offset bottom21 by L-shaped brackets and suitable fastening means 45. The electricallead-ins 34 and 35 coming from the ballast 36 (see FIGURE 8) come inthrough a rubber grommet 37 which has a circumferential groove 38 whichcauses it to slip into the U-shaped cut and slip into cut 26 and be heldtherein in frictional engagement. One of the lead-in wires, 34, goes tothe nearest socket 32' and the other, 35, goes to the switch 40 andthence to a terminal of the far socket 32. The other terminal of the farsocket 32 is connected by a wire to the second terminal on the switchblock and thence to the second terminal on the nearest socket, thuscompleting a circuit which is controlled by the switch 40. The switch 40has a threaded stem 41 projecting from the switch block, which stemprojects through the opening formed by registry of cuts 20 and 26 at theend opposite from the rubber grommet 37 and is held in final position bya threaded lock nut 42 applied from the outside. The stem 41 of theswitch 40 carries a toggle member 43, the movement of which controls theon and off of the power for activating the fluorescent lamp bulb 33.

A troughed wire cover member 46 is secured in the bottom of the flatportion between the two sockets 32 and not only separates the two wires34 and 35 connecting and completing the electrical circuit, but retainsthem between the underside of the marginal edges thereof and the innersurface of the body member 10, so that the wires never contact eachother or the light bulb 33. FIGURE 2 shows how effectively this isaccomplished. This completes the assembly of the equipment retainedwithin the lamp body. When the two completed assemblies of the lamp body10 and the lamp cover 11 are joined in the manner heretofore describedand their ends secured by end caps 30, it will be observed that atubular lamp results wherein the light from the lamp bulb 33 is emittedonly from the slot formed by the marginal edges 12 and 22 and the slotformed by the marginal edges 14 and 23. It will be remembered, however,that by manipulation of the dimmer shield 31, any or all of the lightemitted through the slot formed by the marginal edges 14 and 23 may becut ofli.

Having described the complete lamp assembly, adjustable means areprovided for quickly and easily attaching the lamp in position on apiano or other keyboard instrument so that the light from the slotformed by the marginal edges 12 and 22 is projected angularly toward themusic rack and where the light emitted by the slot formed by marginaledges 14 and 23 is projected downwardly on the keyboard without anylight being visible from the lamp openings themselves and with no lightwhatever shining in the eyes of the artist.

The tubular portions of the lamp are supported over the keyboard asshown in FIGURE 9 by a pair of half- Iing lamp holders 50, which engageand hold the lamp structure with frictional engagement. The half-ringlamp holders 50 are supported in the proper position by link extensions51. It is understood that the link extensions 51 may be of any suitablesize or may be a combination of several sizes. They may be pivoted onthe fastening means 52 by which they are attached to the half-ring lampholders 50 to a suitable angle or position and then tightened in theadjusted position. The inner ends of the brackets are adjustably securedto a pair of music rest clips 53 which slip over the side edges of themusic rest (see FIGURE 9). The linkages 51, no matter the size, arecoated with a special plastic which will not loosen as bends are madeand which will not mar the piano in any way. The location of the musicrest spring clips is such that they will never interfere with music 54placed on the music rest 55.

In using a fluorescent lighting bulb a bum is set up when the same is inuse, so that if the instrument is an electronic organ or the like or hasother electrical operating mechanisms, a ground wire 47 is provided inthe circuit as shown in FIGURE 8, which can be connected to any metalscrew on the chassis of the instrument. When this is suitably attachedthe lamp will be grounded and the hum will be prevented.

As shown in FIGURE 10 the light emitted from the slot defined by themarginal edges 23 and 14 is directed upwardly and is indicated by thearc b. This light is intended for illumination of the music rest. Thelight emitted from the lower slot defined by the marginal edges 22 and12 is indicated by the are a and is intended for illumination of thekeyboard. The keyboard illumination may be reduced or eliminatedentirely by moving the dimmer shield buttons 28 downwardly so that thedimmer shield will move to cover the aperture defined by the are a. Asshown by FIGURE 10 the position of the lamp assembly is not properlyadjusted. The lamp assembly can be rotated in its frictional holding bythe half-ring clamps 50. Better illumination is secured by rotating thelamp structure in FIGURE 10 some 30 or more in a clockwise direction sothat more light will reach the music rest and the light to the keyboardwill be more evenly distributed.

It is apparent that a simple and new lamp for large keyboard instrumentsis provided, which will accomplish all of the desired purposes andfunctions and do so in a way which will complement the instrument withdetachable connections so that the instrument will not be damaged by theattachment. 'It is contemplated that any suitable means for securing thetubular lamp housing in operative position on the instrument may beused.

I claim:

1. A detachable lamp for pianos and other similar keyboard instrumentscomprising in combination a tubular housing consisting of twolongitudinally divided semicircular sections one having upstandingflanges frictionally engaging and holding the other, each having thecentral portions of their marginal edges cut away to register with eachother and form continuous longitudinal slots in the tubular housing onopposite sides thereof, one for illuminating the keyboard and the otherfor illuminating the music rack, removable end caps frictionallyengaging the ends of said semicircular sections securing the tubularhousing in assembled position, an electrical circuit mounted and securedwithin one of said semicircular sections, said circuit including lead-inwires, sockets for a lamp bulb, a lamp bulb mounted in said sockets andbeing substantially coextensive in length with said slots, and a switchoperable from the outside of said tubular housing for completing andbreaking the circuit to said bulb, and shield means movably securedwithin the other of said semicircular sections operable to adjust thewidth of said slots throughout their entire length to regulate theamount of light passing therethrough.

2. A detachable lamp for pianos and other similar keyboard instrumentscomprising in combination a tubular housing consisting of twolongitudinally divided semicircular sections one having upstandingflanges frictionally engaging and holding the other, each having thecentral portions of their marginal edges cut away to register with eachother and form continuous longitudinal slots in the tubular housing onopposite sides thereof, one for illuminating the keyboard and the otherfor illuminating the music rack, removable end caps frictionallyengaging the ends of said semicircular sections securing the tubularhousing in assembled position, an electrical circuit mounted and securedwithin one of said semicircular sections, said circuit including lead-inWires, sockets for a lamp bulb, a lamp bulb mounted in said sockets andbeing substantially coextensive in length with said slots, and a switchoperable from the outside of said tubular housing for completing andbreaking the circuit to said bulb, angled shield means movably securedWithin the other of said semicircular sections operable to adjust theWidth of either slot throughout its entire length to limit the amount oflight passing therethrough, and adjustable arm means for removablysecuring said tubular lamp housing to the music rack in operableposition.

3. A detachable lamp for pianos and other similar keyboard instrumentscomprising in combination a tubular housing comprising twolongitudinally divided semicircular sections one having upstandingflanges frictionally engaging and holding the other, each having thecentral portions of their marginal edges cut away to register With eachother and form continuous longitudinal slots in the tubular housing onopposite sides thereof, one for illuminating the keyboard and the otherfor illuminating the music rack, removable end caps engaging the ends ofsaid semicircular sections securing the tubular housing in assembledposition, an electrical circuit secured within one of said semicircularsections, said circuit including lead-in Wires, sockets for a lamp bulb,a lamp bulb mounted in said sockets and being substantially coextensivein length with said slots, and a switch operable from the outside ofsaid tubular housing for completing and breaking the circuit to saidbulb, a Wire protecting member accurately spacing and retaining saidsockets in position Within said semicircular section and retaining asWell as separating the wires of said circuit, shield means manuallymovably secured Within the other of said semicircular sections operableto adjust the Width of said slots throughout their entire length toregulate the amount of light passing through one or -both of said slots,and adjustable arm means for removably securing said tubular lamphousing to the instmment in operable position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,609,418 Nechamkin et a1. Dec. 7, 19-26 2,00 7jl64 Horwitt July 9, 19352,075,199 Horner Mar. 1937 2,617,917 Janssen Nov. 11, 1952 2,777,941Cookerly et al. Jan. 15, 1957

